RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01531 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to apply to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He completed the application to transfer education benefits via the virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF), but for some unknown reason the transfer was not accepted. In support of his request, the applicant provides documentation associated with his Post 9/11 application. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former Regular Air Force member who retired on 1 June 2010. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ USAF/A1PA recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The applicant does not contend he was miscounseled or unaware of the website for the transfer of education benefits. He has not provided any documentation to support his contentions and there is no record the website was not properly working during the time frame in question. The documentation submitted reflects he did log on to the website on 18 May 10; however, it also reflects zero months of benefits were transferred to the applicant’s dependents. The complete HQ USAF/A1PA evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He filled out the transfer information and did not receive a confirmation that it was accepted. When he checked the website to ensure the benefits had been transferred, there was no record of the transfer. He again went to the website to try and finalize the transfer; he followed the instructions to the best of his ability. He was not able to get a confirmation that the transfer of benefits was accepted so he did a print screen of the request to have some form of confirmation. He had significant difficulties in accomplishing the request via the website. It was his complete and full intent to transfer his education benefits to his son. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. While we note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicates were taken to inform eligible personnel of this new benefit, it appears that through no fault of the applicant, he was not timely made aware of his eligibility and the steps necessary to transfer his benefits to his dependents. In addition, we find no basis to question the applicant's account in this matter and do not find it reasonable that he would have knowingly elected not to pursue use of this important entitlement. Therefore, we elect to resolve any doubt in this matter in behalf of the applicant and recommend the records be corrected as indicated below. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ______________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 31 May 2010, he elected to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01531 in Executive Session on 10 November 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Apr 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ USAF/A1PA, dated 25 May 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jun 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Jul 11.